Venice Film Festival Jury: Kaouther Ben Hania & Johnnie To Join

The Venice Film Festival has revealed the international jury under President Maggie Gyllenhaal.

The International Jury of the Venezia 83 Competition will include the Tunisian director and screenwriter Kaouther Ben Hania; the English composer and artist Daniel Blumberg; the Italian professor Francesco Casetti; the French director and screenwriter Xavier Giannoli; the Afghan director and screenwriter Shahrbanoo Sadat; and the Hong Kong director and producer Johnnie To.

The festival will run September 2 – 12, 2026, organized as ever by La Biennale di Venezia, and overseen by Artistic Director, Alberto Barbera.

The jury awards the following prizes (with no joint awards allowed): Golden Lion for Best Film, Silver Lion – Grand Jury Prize, Silver Lion for Best Director, Coppa Volpi for Best Actress, Coppa Volpi for Best Actor, Special Jury Prize, Award for Best Screenplay, and “Marcello Mastroianni” Award for Best New Young Actor or Actress.

Among the movies widely tipped for Venice this year are Bunker, Wild Horse Nine and Bucking Fastard, however, like Cannes, the festival is also grappling with a retrenchment from major studios.